Animal hock protector

ABSTRACT

A device for protecting the skin of an animal from damage, abrasion and/or moisture is provided. A first version includes an elastic portion band attached to a protective sheet. The elastic band in combination with the protective sheet encircles an animal limb above a hock. The elastic band is optionally detachably attachable to the protective sheet by means of a hook and loop fastener, a zipper assembly, a button and buttonhole combination, or other detachable attachment means. A moisture absorbent material may be attached to and disposed between the protective sheet and the animal limb. The absorbent material may be a wicking material, such as a moisture wicking fleece. The protective sheet may be asymmetric as positioned about a sagittal plane central to the hock. The protective sheet may be partially curved to form a cup shape for at least partially enclosing the hock.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to animal husbandry and the careand maintenance of animals. The present invention more particularlyrelates to the protection of living animal skin from abrasion andinfection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The maintenance and husbandry of animals includes concerns regarding thethreat of skin infections and abrasions. The prior art includes leggingsand pads that are applied to cushion limbs of animals from contact withor exposure to objects and conditions that can cause or aggravate skineruptions, open wounds, or blisters.

The prior art provides efforts to protect elements of animal physiologyrelated to joints. In one exemplary area of prior art, protectivedevices for hock joints of large animals are provided that generallyhave means of securing a protective pad above and below the hock joint(hereafter “the hock”). Certain prior art hock protectors employ asemi-cylindrical shape and are made as one-size-fits-all. Prior artanimal skin protectors of this type have the drawbacks of (1)restricting the free movement of the target animal joint; (2) beingprone to changing position on the target joint which can render theprotector ineffective by undesirable repositioning; (3) being cumbersomeand difficult to install; (4) being prone to simply falling off and awayfrom the animal; and (5) failing to allow sufficient airflow under thepad to control moisture or animal sweat disposed on the animal skinunder the pad.

Prior art uses of ribs to hold a padded device in place can createadditional rub points in areas where the target animal is generallylikely to suffer sores. Furthermore, prior art leg protectors that havebeen designed for close contact with an animal leg to prevent slippagecan contribute to and cause a retention of heat on animal skin, such asnear an animal joint, for example a hock. A one-size-fits-all approachto prior art devices presents additional drawbacks in enabling sustainedpositioning relative to a target animal joint because there arevariances within a species of circumferences of joints and limbs. In oneexemplary application, it is known in the art that an adult horse in anormal range of motion may cause approximately a one-inch plus or minus0.5 inch or more variance in the external circumference of a hock joint.

The horse hock is fundamentally important to the performance of a horsein motion as well a potential site of conditions that cause lameness.There is therefore a long-felt need for improved methods and devices forsustainable positioning a protective device relative to a selected areaof an animal's skin, limb or joint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the present invention are made obvious inlight of this disclosure, wherein a device is provided for attachment toa target animal for the purpose of protecting the skin and underlyingflesh of the target animal. According to a first aspect of the method ofthe present invention, an elastic band attached to a protective sheet incombination are configured to encircle a limb or trunk of the targetanimal. The protective sheet may extend from the elastic band to protectan area of the target animal, for example, a joint skin surface or askin area proximate to an animal hock.

According to other aspects of the present invention, a lining isprovided that may be or comprise an absorbent and/or moisture wickingfabric. The lining may be gathered and then attached to the protectivesheet and/or elastic band. The gathered fabric may then flatten againstthe protective sheet and elastic band as the protective sheet and theelastic band are stretched by movement of the hock. The gathering of thefabric reduces or eliminates impedance by the lining of the stretchingof the elastic band and protective sheet as the hock passes through afull range of motion.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by referenceto disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection withwhich the publications are cited. All publications, patents, and patentapplications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Such incorporations include U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,026 (inventor: Sollock,H.; issued on May 21, 2002) titled “Roping steer leg saver”; U.S. Pat.No. 5,389,061 (inventor: Nor, F.; issued on February 1995) titled“Hockwrap”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,398 (inventor: Kaski, L.; issued on Dec.4, 1990) titled “Weight strap for a horse's leg”; U.S. Pat. No.4,834,079 (inventor: Benckhuijsen; J.; issued on May 30, 1989) titled“Protective cover for legs & joints of hoofed animals”; U.S. Pat. No.4,342,185 (inventor: Pellew, P.; issued on Aug. 3, 1982) titled“Protective garment for the legs of a quadruped of the horse genus andmaterial for such garment” and U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,516 (inventor: Hyman,L.; issued on Oct. 5, 1965) titled “Hock protector”.

The publications discussed or mentioned herein are provided solely fortheir disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the presentinvention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue ofprior invention. Furthermore, the dates of publication provided hereinmay differ from the actual publication dates which may need to beindependently confirmed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These, and further features of various aspects of the present invention,may be better understood with reference to the accompanyingspecification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a hock joint of a horse;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the horse of FIG. 1 showing a right hockprotector attached to a right leg of the horse and a left hock protectorattached to a left leg of the horse;

FIG. 3 is a view of an external side of the right hock protector of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a view of an internal side of the right hock protector of FIG.2 and FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a view of an external side of the right elastic fabric of theright hock protector of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a view of an internal side of the right elastic fabric of theright hock protector of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views of an outer side of the right absorbent fabricof the right hock protector of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 prior toattachment with the right elastic fabric of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

FIG. 7A illustrates the right hock protector of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG.4 stretched along an X axis to present a stretched distance X1 betweenthe first right band end and the hook fastener material;

FIG. 7B illustrates the right hock protector of FIGS. 2 through 4 and 7Arelaxed along an X axis an presenting a smaller distance X2 between thefirst right band end and the hook fastener material;

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of the right hock protector of FIGS. 2through 4, 7A and 7B, and illustrates the shape of a convex cup of theright hock protector;

FIG. 9 is a view of an external side of the left hock protector of FIG.2;

FIG. 10 is a view of an internal side of the left hock protector of FIG.2 and FIG. 9;

FIG. 11A is a view of an internal side of the left elastic fabric of theleft hock protector of FIG. 2, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10;

FIG. 11B is a view of an external side of the right elastic fabric ofthe right hock protector of FIG. 2, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11A;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views of an outer side of the left absorbentfabric of the left hock protector of FIG. 2, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 prior toattachment with the left elastic fabric of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B;

FIG. 13 is a cut-away side view of the right elastic fabric of the righthock protector of FIGS. 2 through 5B; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the right hock protector of FIG. 2 inan instant of an attachment process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularaspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course,vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is notintended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention willbe limited only by the appended claims.

Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recitedevents which is logically possible, as well as the recited order ofevents.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or bothof those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methodsand materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claimsmay be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statementis intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusiveterminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with therecitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a side view of a left hock 2 of a horse 4 of FIG. 2.It is understood that the method of the present invention may be appliedto other joints, hocks and skin covered aspects of other animals, suchas sheep.

The hock 2 is a complex joint that comprises six bones 4-13 and thejoints between these bones 4-13. These bones and joints are arranged inthree main layers, namely: (a) an upper (proximal) layer that includes atalus bone 6 and a calcaneus bone 8; (b) a middle layer that includes acentral tarsal bone 10; and a lower (distal) layer that includes a firsttarsal bone (not shown), a second tarsal bone (not shown) and a thirdtarsal bone 12. A fourth tarsal bone 13 spans the middle and distallayers of the hock 2 at the back of the hock 2. The calcaneus bone 8(hereafter “the hock bone” 8) extends distally and away from the centerof mass of the horse 4. This projection of the hock bone 8 away from ahock centerline H accentuates a danger that the skin area of the horse 4proximate to the hock bone 8 will suffer from damage and trauma. Thearea of the hock 2 that is posterior to the hock centerline H isreferred to herein as the “back of the hock”.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2, FIG.2 is a side view of the horse 4 having a left rear leg 14 and a rearright leg 16. A left hock protector 18 is separately attached to theleft rear leg 14 and substantially protects a back of the left hock 2. Aright hock protector 20 is attached to a right rear leg 16 andsubstantially covers a back of a right hock 21. The left hock protector18 is shaped to protect a left skin area 2A of the left hock 2, and theright hock protector 20 is shaped to protect a right skin area 21A (notshown) of the right hock 21. The left skin area 2A may include some orall horse skin that is within the range of from one inch to more thantwo inches from the left hock bone 8. Alternatively or additionally, theright skin area 21A may include some or all of horse skin located withinthe range of from one inch to more than two inches from the right hockbone (not shown) of the right hock 21.

Each hock protector 18 and 20 includes an elastic band 22 and 24 thatare each coupled to a separate protective sheet 26 and 28. The leftprotective sheet 26 is preferably sized and shaped to substantiallycover the back of the hock 2 of the left leg 14, wherein more than 50%of the back of the left hock 2 is covered by the left hock protector 18.The right protective sheet 28 is sized and shaped to substantially coverthe back of the right hock 21 of the right leg 16, wherein more than 50%of the back of the hock 21 of the right leg 16 is covered by the righthock protector 20.

The elastic bands 22 and 24 may be or comprise a WE-2™ woven cottonelastic strip marketed by Lea and Sachs, Inc. of Des Plaines, Ill. Theprotective sheets 26 and 28 are positioned to extend distally from theattached elastic band 22 and 24, preferably in a size and shape suitableto the horse 4. For example, the protective sheet 26 and 28 may beshaped to extend within five inches to seven inches distally from theelastic attachment band, or in other versions, to extend within lessthan one inch to greater than nine inches from the elastic band.

A hook and loop fastener assembly 30 comprising VELCRO™ hook and loopfabric detachably maintains the elastic bands 22 and 24 around eachencircled leg 14 and 16. Either elastic band 22 and 24 may optionally beformed to detachably encircle a horse leg 14 and 16 by means of a zipperassembly, a button and buttonhole combination, or other suitabledetachable attachment means known in the art.

An external absorbent fabric tongue 32 and 34 extends from an internalside and along an external side of respective and separate protectivesheet 26 and 28.

FIG. 3 is view of an external side of the right hock protector 20 andillustrates the right elastic band 24 sewn at a first right band end 24Awith thread onto a right elastic fabric 36 of the right protective sheet28. The right elastic external fabric 36 may comprise a neoprene sheetcoupled with an external backing of Kevlar™ para-amid sheet or othersuitable durable, elastic material known in the art. For example, theright external fabric 36 may be or comprise a SUPRATEX™ abrasionresistant fabric marketed by Macro International Company of IrvineCalif., and having a thickness of 2 millimeters or greater.Alternatively or additionally, the right elastic external fabric 36 maybe or comprise a nylon fabric, a neoprene sheet, a natural fiber, asynthetic fiber, an aromatic polyamide, a para-aramid fiber, syntheticrubber, an organic rubber, and/or other suitable material known in theart in singularity or in combination.

A length of hook fastener material 38 is folded and the bottom half 38Ais sewn with thread onto to a right top area of the right protectivesheet 20 and the top half 38B is left unstitched, and a loop fastenermaterial 40 doubled over and then is sewn with thread onto two sides ofa second right band end 24B of the right elastic band 24. Referring nowgenerally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 2, 4, 7A, and 7B, thehook fastener material 38A & 38B and the loop fastener material 40A &40B in combination form the hook and loop fabric assembly 30.

The right hock protector 20 may be detachably attached to the horseright leg 16 by encircling the right horse leg 16 with a combination ofthe right elastic band 24 and the right protective sheet 28, and thencoupling the doubled over loop fabric 40 of the second end 24B of theright elastic band 24 into the hook fabric material 38.

Various configurations of the right elastic external fabric 36preferably extend along a Y-axis to a length of less than one inch tomore than nine inches, wherein the right elastic external fabric 36 ischosen having dimensions that are suitably sized and fitted to the horse4.

The right hock protector 20 is shaped to form a right convex cup 42Athat cups and partially encloses the back area of the right hock 21. Afirst right dart 36A and a second right dart 36B of the right elasticfabric 36 are sewn closed with thread to enable the formation of theright convex cup 42A.

The right elastic fabric 36 and the right elastic band 24 are selectedto be elastic in order to expand as the horse 4 moves the right hock 21through a normal range of motion wherein the hock bone 8 pushes towardthe posterior direction from the horse 4 and away from the central axisH of the right hock 21, while maintaining attachment to the right horseleg 16. The right elastic fabric 36 and the right elastic band 24 arepreferably selected, sized and shaped to in combination permit anexpansion of up to three inches as the right hock passes through anormal range of motion while maintaining the right hock protector 20substantially in position and covering at least half of the skin area ofthe back of the right hock 21.

The right hock protector 20 is asymmetric in shape as bisected by thesagittal plane S of the right hock 21. This asymmetry along the X axis,wherein the right hock protector 20 presents less material toward theinside of the right leg 16, reduces the occurrence of the right hockprotector 20 being rubbed against the left horse leg 14 and therebybeing pushed away from a position of best protecting the right hock 21.It is understood that to substantially maintain a position by the righthock protector 20 may be defined herein to indicate that the rightelastic band 24 maintains a position no more than four inches above theright hock 21, i.e., in a range of from zero to four inches proximalfrom the right hock 21 and along the horse right leg 16.

FIG. 4 is view of an internal side of the right hock protector 20. Theright absorbent fabric tongue 34 (hereinafter “right tongue” 34) iscomprised within a right absorbent fabric 44. A lower dart 46 of theright absorbent fabric 44 is sewn closed. A gathering of excess material48A (hereinafter, “the right gathering” 48A) of the right absorbentfabric 44 is positioned at least partially within the right convex cup42A. The right gathering 48A is preferably affected both within theright convex cup 42A and towards and including the right tongue 34.

FIG. 5A is a view of an external side of the right elastic fabric 36 ofthe right hock protector 20 prior to attachment with the right absorbentfabric 44. The first right dart 36A and the second right dart 36B arenot sewn together, and the right convex cup 42A is thus not formed. Asheet of a flexible, durable, abrasion resistant fabric 36C, such as amaterial comprising a Kevlar™ para-amid fabric, is presented as anexternal fabric 36C of the right elastic fabric 36. The asymmetric shapealong the sagittal plane S of the right elastic fabric 36 is evident inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5B is a view of an internal side of the right elastic fabric 36 ofthe right hock protector 20 prior to attachment with the right absorbentfabric 44. The first dart right 36A and the right second dart 36B arenot sewn together, and the right convex cup 42A is thus not formed. Aninternal flexible durable fabric 36D, such as a fabric comprising nylonor other suitable material, is presented as an internal element 36D ofthe right elastic fabric 36. The asymmetric shape along the sagittalplane of the right elastic fabric 36 is further evident in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A is a view of an outer side of the right absorbent fabric 44 ofthe right hock protector 20 prior to attachment with the right elasticfabric 36. It is understood that the outer side of the right absorbentfabric is substantially presented against the right hock 21 when theright hock protector 20 is properly attached to the right horse leg 16.

The right absorbent fabric 44 may be or comprise a natural or syntheticfleece, and/or a wicking material that absorbs moisture and/or drawsmoisture away from the skin and hair of the horse 4. Alternatively oradditionally, the right absorbent fabric 44 may be or comprise a naturalabsorbent fiber, a natural fleece, a synthetic absorbent fiber, asynthetic absorbent fleece, a natural wicking fiber, and/or a syntheticwicking fiber.

The right absorbent fabric 44 is shown to have the same asymmetry withrespect to the sagittal plane as the right elastic fabric 36. The rightabsorbent fabric lower dart 46 is shown in an open position. Infabrication of the right hock protector 20, a right absorbent fabricperiphery 49 is formed to be sewn by thread onto the right elasticfabric 36. Referring now to FIG. 6B, a set of three right tongue edges34A, 34B and 34C of the right tongue 34 are comprised within the rightabsorbent fabric periphery 49 and are sewn onto the external side of theright elastic fabric 36 in order to form the right gathering 48A. Theright absorbent fabric lower dart 46 is shown in FIG. 6B sewn withthread into a closed position.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 7A and7B, FIGS. 7A and 7B are offered to explain a preferred method ofattaching the right absorbent fabric 44 to the right elastic fabric 36to form the right gathering 48A. It is understood that one of ordinaryskill in the art, in light of the present disclosure, would be enabledto perform alternate and suitable known techniques known in the art toform the right gathering 48A of the right absorbent fabric 44.

FIG. 7A illustrates the right hock protector 20 stretched along the Xaxis to present a stretched distance X1 between the first right band end24A and the hook fastener material 38. FIG. 7B illustrates the righthock protector 20 in a relaxed state, and not under tension along the Xaxis, wherein the right elastic fabric 36 presents a smaller, relaxeddistance X2 between the first right band end 24A and the hook fastenermaterial 38. A fabricator may sew the right tongue edges 34A, 34B and34C with thread onto the right elastic fabric 36 while the right hockprotector 20 is stretched under tension to present the larger stretcheddistance X1. Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 7A, it is understood that thestretched distance X1 is preferably equal to a length L of the secondright tongue edge 34B. The length L of the second right tongue edge 34Bextends along the X-axis and is formed when the right tongue 34 isflattened and positioned in parallel with the X-Y plane. It is furtherunderstood that the linear distance difference of magnitude between therelaxed distance X2 and the stretched distance X1 is preferably withinthe range of from 0.125 inches to three inches.

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of the right hock protector 20 showingthe shape of the right convex cup 42A. The right absorbent fabric 44 issewn onto the right elastic external fabric 36 to form the rightprotective sheet 28. The right protective sheet 28 is formedasymmetrically to reduce rubbing against the right protective sheet 28by the horse left leg 14 that would cause the right hock protector 20 tobe forced away from covering the second skin area of the right hock 21of right leg 16 of the horse 4. The area of the right elastic externalfabric 36 covered by the right absorbent fabric tongue 34, incombination with the right elastic band 24, enables the right hockprotector 20 to expand under tension as the horse 4 walks, or moves, andthe hock bone 8 pushes toward the posterior direction from the horse 4and away from the central axis H of the right hock 21.

FIG. 9 is view of an external side of the left hock protector 18 of FIG.2. The left elastic band 22 is sewn at a first left band end 22A withthread onto a left elastic fabric 50 of the left protective sheet 26.The left elastic external fabric 50 may comprise a neoprene sheetcoupled with an external backing of Kevlar™ para-amid sheet or othersuitable durable, elastic material known in the art. For example, theleft external fabric 50 may be or comprise a SUPRATEX™ abrasionresistant fabric marketed by Macro International Company of IrvineCalif., and having a thickness of 2 millimeters or greater.Alternatively or additionally, the left elastic external fabric 50 maybe or comprise a nylon fabric, a neoprene sheet, a natural fiber, asynthetic fiber, an aromatic polyamide, a para-aramid fiber, syntheticrubber, an organic rubber, and/or other suitable material known in theart in singularity or in combination.

A hook fastener material 38 is sewn with thread onto to a left top areaof the left protective sheet 18, and a loop fastener material 40 is sewnwith thread onto two sides of a second left band end 22B of the leftelastic band 22. The hook fastener material 38 and the loop fastenermaterial 40 in combination form the hook and loop fabric assembly 30.

The left hock protector 18 may be detachably attached to the horse leftleg 14 by encircling the left horse leg 14 with a combination of theleft elastic band 22 and the left protective sheet 26, and then couplingthe doubled over loop fabric 40 of the second end 22B of the leftelastic band 22 into the hook fabric material 38.

Various configurations of the left elastic external fabric 50 preferablyextend along a Y-axis to a length of less than one inch to more thannine inches, wherein the left elastic external fabric 50 is chosenhaving dimensions that are suitably sized and fitted to the horse 4.

The left hock protector 18 is shaped to form a left convex cup 42B thatcups and partially encloses the back area of the left hock 2. A firstleft dart 50A and a second left dart 50B of the left elastic fabric 50are sewn closed with thread to enable the formation of the left convexcup 42B.

The left elastic fabric 50 and the left elastic band 22 are selected tobe elastic in order to expand as the horse 4 moves the left hock 2through a normal range of motion wherein the hock bone 8 pushes distallyaway from the central axis H of the hock 2, while maintaining attachmentto the left horse leg 14. The left elastic fabric 50 and the leftelastic band 22 are preferably selected, sized and shaped to incombination permit an expansion of up to three inches as the left hock 2passes through a normal range of motion while maintaining the left hockprotector 18 substantially in position and covering at least half of theskin area of the back of the left hock 2.

The left hock protector 18 is asymmetric in shape as bisected by thesagittal plane S of the left hock 2. This asymmetry along the X axis,wherein the left hock protector 18 presents less material toward theinside of the left leg 14, reduces the occurrence of the left hockprotector 18 being rubbed against the right horse leg 16 and therebybeing pushed away from a position of best protecting the left hock 2. Itis understood that to substantially maintain a position by the left hockprotector 18 may be defined as where the left elastic band 22 maintainsa position no more than four inches above the left hock 2, i.e., in arange of zero to four inches proximal from the left hock 2 along thehorse left leg 14.

FIG. 10 is a view of an internal side of the left hock protector 18. Theleft absorbent fabric tongue 32 (hereinafter “left tongue” 32) iscomprised within a left absorbent fabric 52. A left lower dart 52A ofthe left absorbent fabric 52 is sewn closed. A second gathering ofexcess material 48B of the left absorbent fabric 52 is positioned atleast partially within the left convex cup 42B. The second gathering ofexcess material 48B (hereinafter, “the left gathering” 48B) of the leftabsorbent fabric 52 is preferably affected both within the left convexcup 42B and towards and including the left tongue 32.

FIG. 11A is a view of an internal side of the left elastic fabric 50 ofthe left hock protector 18 prior to attachment with the left absorbentfabric 52. A first left dart 50A and a second left dart 50B are not sewntogether, and the left convex cup 42B is thus not formed. An internalflexible durable fabric 50D, such as a fabric comprising nylon or othersuitable material, is presented as an internal element 50D of the leftelastic fabric 50 The asymmetric shape along the left hock sagittalplane S of the left elastic fabric 50 is further evident in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11B is a view of an external side of the left elastic fabric 50 ofthe left hock protector 18 prior to attachment with the left absorbentfabric 52. The first left dart 50A and the second left dart 50B are notsewn together, and the left convex cup 42B is thus not formed. Anabrasion-resistant fabric 50C, such as a material comprising a Kevlar™para-amid fabric, is presented as an external element 50C of the leftelastic fabric 50. The asymmetric shape along the sagittal plane S ofthe left elastic fabric 50 is evident in FIG. 11B

FIG. 12A is a view of an outer side of the left absorbent fabric 52 ofthe left hock protector 18 prior to attachment with the left elasticfabric 50. It is understood that the outer side of the left absorbentfabric 52 is substantially presented against the left hock 2 when theleft hock protector 18 is properly attached to the left horse leg 14.

The left absorbent fabric 52 may be or comprise a natural or syntheticfleece, and/or a wicking material that draws moisture away from the skinand hair of the horse 4. Alternatively or additionally, the leftabsorbent fabric 52 may be or comprise a natural absorbent fiber, anatural fleece, a synthetic absorbent fiber, a synthetic absorbentfleece, a natural wicking fiber, and/or a synthetic wicking fiber.

The left absorbent fabric 52 is shown to have the same asymmetry withrespect to the sagittal plane S of the left hock 2 as the left elasticfabric 50. The left absorbent fabric lower dart 52A is shown in an openposition. In fabrication of the left hock protector 18, a left absorbentfabric periphery 54 is formed to be sewn by thread onto the left elasticfabric 50. Referring now to FIG. 12B, a plurality of three left tongueedges 32A, 32B and 32C of the left tongue 32 are comprised within theleft absorbent fabric periphery 54 and are sewn onto the external sideof the left elastic fabric 50 in order to form the left gathering 48B.The left absorbent fabric lower dart 52A is shown in FIG. 12B as sewnwith thread into a closed position.

FIG. 13 is a cut-away side view of the right protective sheet 28 andcomprising the cut-away views of the right elastic fabric 36 and theright absorbent fabric 44. A cushioning layer 36E of neoprene, or othersuitable durable cushioning material known in the art, is disposedbetween the external abrasion-resistant fabric 36C and the internalflexible durable fabric 36D. The right absorbent fabric 44 is shown toinclude an absorbent and/or wicking material 44A that is interwovenwith, adhered to, or coupled with a backing 44B. The absorbent and/orwicking material 44A may be or comprise a natural or synthetic fleece,and/or a wicking material that draws moisture away from the skin andhair of the horse 4. The backing 44B may be a cotton fabric, or othersuitable natural of synthetic material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 14, FIG.14 is a perspective view of the right hock protector 20 in an attachmentprocess. The right protective sheet 28 and the right elastic band 24, incombination, will encircle the right rear leg 16 of the horse 4 when theloop fabric material 40 of the right elastic band 24 is coupled with theright hook fabric material 38. Each of a pair of hook fabric strips 38Aand 38B of the right hook fabric material 38 detachably couples with aseparate side 40A and 40B of the right loop fabric 40 of the elasticband. A human applier may open up the right hook fabric material 38 witha left hand 56 while pulling the loop fabric material 40 with a righthand 58 toward the hook fabric assembly 38. The hook fabric material 38and the loop fabric material 40 form one instance of the hook and loopattachment assembly 30.

It is understood that in various alternate configurations of the presentinvention the loop fabric material 40 may be attached with a protectivesheet 26 and 28 and a hook fabric material 38 may be attached to asecond end of an elastic band 22 and 24 to in combination form analternate hook and loop fastener assembly 30.

It is further understood that one of ordinary skill in the art, in lightof the present disclosure, would be enabled to apply alternate andsuitable known devices and techniques known in the art to detachablyattach the elastic bands 22 and 24 to a separate and individualprotective sheet 26 and 28. For example, the right elastic band 24 orleft elastic 22 may be optionally detachably attachable to theirattached protective sheet 26 and 28 by means of a zipper assembly, abutton and buttonhole combination, or other suitable detachableattachment means known in the art.

The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of thepresent invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope ofthe present invention. The above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given includemany specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certainpossible applications of the present invention. The examples givenshould only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the applicationsof the present invention, and the full scope of the Present Inventionshould be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the just-described applications can be configuredwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention may bepracticed other than as specifically described herein. The scope of thepresent invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art andin light of the disclosures presented above.

1. A hock protector comprising: a. an elastic attachment band, for atleast partially encircling an animal limb above a hock of the animallimb; and b. a protective sheet coupled to the elastic attachment bandand extending from the elastic attachment band and substantiallycovering the hock, whereby the elastic attachment band in combinationwith the protective sheet encircle the animal limb above hock and theprotective sheet extends downward and away from the elastic band.
 2. Thehock protector of claim 1, wherein the protective sheet extends awayfrom the elastic attachment band in the range of from one inch to nineinches.
 3. The hock protector of claim 1, wherein the protective sheetextends away from the elastic attachment band in the range of from fiveinches to seven inches.
 4. The hock protector of claim 1, wherein theprotective sheet comprises a material selected from the material groupconsisting of a neoprene material, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber,an aromatic polyamide, a para-aramid fiber, a synthetic rubber and anorganic rubber.
 5. The hock protector of claim 1, wherein the protectivesheet forms a curvilinear shape forming a convex shape thatsubstantially covers a back of the hock.
 6. The hock protector of claim1, wherein the protective sheet is shaped asymmetrically along asagittal plane of the hock.
 7. The hock protector of claim 6, whereinthe protective sheet forms a curvilinear shape forming a convex shapethat substantially covers a back of the hock.
 8. The hock protector ofclaim 1, wherein the elastic attachment band is elastically deformablein the range of from one inch to three inches, whereby the circumferenceof the hock protector around the animal limb may vary due to movement ofthe hock in the range of from one to three inches while the elastic bandsubstantially maintains a position above the hock.
 9. The hock protectorof claim 1, wherein the protective sheet is elastically deformable inthe range of from one quarter inch to three inches, whereby thecircumference of the hock protector around the animal limb may vary dueto movement of the hock in the range of from less than one inch to threeinches, and the elastic band in combination with the protective sheetsubstantially maintains a position above the hock.
 10. The hockprotector of claim 9, further comprising a cushion material having atongue, and the tongue of the cushion material extends from an inside ofthe hock protector and over a top edge of the elastic sheet, wherein thetongue is gathered and attached to an outside of the protective sheet,whereby the gathered cushion material is available to flatten when theprotective sheet expands as caused by a movement of the hock.
 11. Thehock protector of claim 10, wherein the elastic attachment band iselastically deformable in the range of from less than one inch to threeinches, whereby the circumference of the hock protector around theanimal limb may vary due to movement of the hock in the range of fromone to three inches and the elastic band substantially maintains aposition above the hock.
 12. The hock protector of claim 1, wherein theelastic attachment band is separable by a securing feature.
 13. The hockprotector of claim 12, wherein the elastic attachment band comprises afirst end and a second end, and the first end is attached to theprotective sheet and the second end is detachably attachable to theprotective sheet by a securing feature.
 14. The hock protector of claim13, wherein the securing feature in combination with the elastic bandsecond end comprises a hook and loop fastener assembly.
 15. The hockprotector of claim 1, further comprising a moisture absorbent liningattached to an inside of the protective sheet, and the moistureabsorbent lining is disposed between the protective sheet and the hock.16. The hock protector of claim 15, wherein the moisture absorbentlining is selected from the lining material group of a natural absorbentfiber, a natural fleece, a synthetic absorbent fiber, a syntheticabsorbent fleece, a natural wicking fiber, and a synthetic wickingfiber.
 17. The hock protector of claim 15, wherein the moistureabsorbent lining comprises a tongue, and the tongue extends from aninside of the protective sheet and over a top edge of the elastic sheet,wherein the tongue is gathered and attached to an outside of theprotective sheet, whereby the gathered moisture absorbent lining isavailable to flatten when the protective sheet expands as caused by amovement of the hock.
 18. The hock protector of claim 17, wherein theprotective sheet is elastically deformable in the range of from onequarter inch to three inches, whereby the gathered absorbent liningflattens as the circumference of the hock protector around the animallimb varies due to movement of the hock, and an expansion of the elasticband in combination with the protective sheet is not inhibited by themoisture absorbent lining.
 19. The hock protector of claim 18, whereinthe moisture absorbent lining is selected from the lining material groupof a natural absorbent fiber, a natural fleece, a synthetic absorbentfiber, a synthetic absorbent fleece, a natural wicking fiber, and asynthetic wicking fiber.
 20. The hock protector of claim 17, wherein theprotective sheet extends away from the elastic attachment band in therange of from one inches to nine inches.